Strokes Can Be Prevented, Says Charity

A leading local medical charity has said that Northern Ireland is still falling behind in certain key areas of stroke prevention.

NI Chest, Heart and Stroke has pointed out that only three hospitals in Northern Ireland are providing the latest clot-busting drugs (thrombolysis) - and even then the number of patients who are currently benefitting is tiny; that Northern Ireland is the only region of the UK not to have thrombolysis as a standard treatment and that people in the North Antrim and Down Districts are worst off when it comes to stroke treatment, because neither area has a stroke unit.

The charity's Chief Executive, Andrew Dougal, (pictured) said: "There are other shortfalls in stroke treatment here as well, such as a lower level of occupational therapists, but we expect these to be addressed when the Regional Stroke Strategy is implemented in the near future."

NICHS is also advising people that they need to do more individually to reduce the toll of death and misery caused by stroke.

Mr Dougal said that around 40% of strokes are avoidable: "There are many people who will have a stroke in future who could prevent it with a few simple lifestyle changes," said Anne Madden, NICHS Director of Research.

"Our message is that it's much easier to prevent one than to recover. For example, you may think it's a struggle to give up smoking, but try re-training with a disability to regain your livelihood after you've lost your job," she said.

To underline the need for better health, the charity has been offering MLAs the opportunity to have their blood pressure measured.

They were asked to have the checks done when they returned to work at Stormont after the summer recess last Monday.

(BMcC)